Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus is provided, in which content and position information generated independently of each other are recorded in a recording medium. The apparatus includes a recording medium in which the content and the position information are recorded and a deletion unit deleting position information temporally associated with a piece of the content from the recording medium when the piece of content is deleted from the recording medium.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 for U.S. Ser. No. 12/205,980,filed Sep. 8, 2008, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 from Japanese Patent Application JP 2007-261876 filed in theJapanese Patent Office on Oct. 5, 2007, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing method, and a computer program. More,particularly, the invention relates to am information processingapparatus recording content and position information independently ofeach other and an information processing method and a computer programfor processing content and position information recorded independentlyof each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some information processing apparatus acquire still images and movingimages (which will be collectively referred to as “content”) by imagingan object, acquire position information when imaging the object, andrecord the position information in a recording medium (seeJP-A-2000-187687 (Patent Document 1)). For example, some video camerashave a GPS (Global Positioning System) incorporated therein to measurethe position of the video cameras during an imaging operation or whenthe cameras are supplied with power. Position information obtained as aresult of the measurement is recorded in a time-sequential manner in asemiconductor memory or hard disk which is also incorporated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although content can be deleted from such an information processingapparatus, position information can not be deleted. The reason is thatcontent and position information are not associated with each other.Thus, position information remains in a recording medium even aftercontent is deleted, which has resulted in the problem of wasteful use ofthe capacity of a recording medium.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel and improved informationprocessing apparatus, information processing method, and computerprogram which allow position information temporally associated with apiece of content to be automatically deleted when the content is deletedto save the capacity of a recording medium.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus in which content and positioninformation generated independently of each other are recorded in arecording medium, characterized in that it includes a recording mediumin which content and position information are recorded and a deletionunit deleting position information temporally associated with a piece ofcontent from the recording medium when the piece of content is deletedfrom the recording medium.

In such a configuration, content and position information are recordedin a recording medium. When a piece of content is deleted from therecording medium, the deletion unit deletes position informationtemporally associated with the piece of content from the recordingmedium. Thus, when a piece of content is deleted, position informationtemporally associated with the piece of content is automatically deletedto save the capacity of the recording medium.

When content generated on a specified day is entirely deleted, thedeletion unit may delete all position information generated on that dayfrom the recording medium. In such a configuration, when contentgenerated on a specified day is entirely deleted, the deletion unitdeletes position information generated on that day from the recordingmedium. Thus, the capacity of the recording medium can be saved byautomatically deleting the position information associated with the datewhen the content was generated.

When content is entirely deleted, the deletion unit may delete allposition information from the recording medium. In such a configuration,when content is entirely deleted, the deletion unit deletes all positioninformation from the recording medium. Thus, the capacity of therecording medium can be saved by automatically deleting all positioninformation.

The information processing apparatus may further include a positioninformation acquisition unit acquiring information for generatingposition information. In such a configuration, the position informationacquisition unit acquires information for generating positioninformation and records the information in a recording medium. Thus,when a piece of content is deleted, position information temporallyassociated with the piece of content generated from information acquiredby the position information acquisition unit is automatically deleted,which allows the capacity of the recording medium to be saved.

The information processing apparatus may further include an imaging unitgenerating content by imaging an object. In such a configuration, theimaging unit generates content by imaging an object. Thus, when a pieceof content generated by the imaging unit is deleted, positioninformation temporally associated with the piece of content can beautomatically deleted to save the capacity of the recording medium.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing method for processing content and positioninformation generated independently of each other and recorded in arecording medium, characterized in that it includes the step of deletingposition information temporally associated with a piece of content froma recording medium when the piece of content is deleted from therecording medium.

In such an embodiment, content and position information is recorded in arecording medium, and position information temporally associated with apiece of content is deleted from the recording medium is deleted whenthe piece of content is deleted from the recording medium. Thus, thecapacity of the recording medium can be saved by automatically deletingthe position information temporally associated with the piece of contentwhen the content is deleted.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided acomputer program processing content and position information generatedindependently of each other and recorded in a recording medium,characterized in that it includes the step of deleting positioninformation temporally associated with a piece of content from therecording medium when the piece of content is deleted from the recordingmedium.

In such a configuration, content and position information is recorded ina recording medium, and position information temporally associated witha piece of content is deleted from the recording medium at the deletingstep when the piece of content is deleted from the recording medium.Thus, the capacity of the recording medium can be saved by automaticallydeleting the position information temporally associated with the pieceof content when the piece of content is deleted.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the invention, thereis provided a novel and improved information processing apparatus,information processing method, and computer program which allow thecapacity of a recording medium to be saved by automatically deletingposition information temporally associated with a piece of content whenthe content is deleted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration for explaining an information processingapparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a method of processing informationusing the information processing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining a process of selectively deletingimaged content according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration for explaining a recording layout of imagedcontent and position information recorded in an information recordingmedium;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a process of deleting imagedcontent on a date-by-date basis according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining a process of deleting entireimaged content according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a process of initializing(formatting) the information recording medium according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a configuration of aninformation processing apparatus and a position information acquisitionapparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a configuration of aninformation processing apparatus and a position information acquisitionapparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification anddrawings, elements having substantially the same function andconfiguration are indicated by the same reference numeral to avoidduplicated description.

First Embodiment

An information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment ofthe invention will be first described. FIG. 1 is an illustration forexplaining an information processing apparatus 100 according to a firstembodiment of the invention. The information processing apparatus 100according to the first embodiment of the invention will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

The information processing apparatus 100 is an apparatus which acquiresstill images or moving images (such images may be hereinaftercollectively referred to as “content”) by imaging objects. Theinformation processing apparatus 100 also acquires information on theposition of itself. Hereinafter, content obtained by imaging an objectmay be referred to as “imaged content”. As shown in FIG. 1, theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodimentof the invention includes an imaging unit 110, a microphone 112, a GPSreception unit 122, an acceleration sensor 124, a gyro sensor 126, aterrestrial magnetism sensor 128, a control unit 130, an operation unit132, an information recording medium 134, and a display unit 136.

The imaging unit 110 images an object and converts image light from theobject into an electrical signal. Although not shown, the imaging unit110 includes a zoom lens, a diaphragm, a focus lens, and an imagingdevice such as a CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementarymetal oxide semiconductor) device. The microphone 112 collects soundsaround the information processing apparatus 100 and converts thecollected sounds into an electrical signal. The electrical signalsobtained by the imaging unit 110 and the microphone 112 are sent to thecontrol unit 130.

The GPS reception unit 122 receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite.Based on the received GPS signal, the GPS reception unit 122 calculatesthe current position of the information processing apparatus 100. Thecurrent position of the information processing apparatus 100 calculatedby the GPS reception unit 122 is sent to the control unit 130.

The acceleration sensor 124 measures acceleration of the informationprocessing apparatus 100. The acceleration sensor 124 used in thepresent embodiment may be a MEMS (micro electro mechanical system)sensor. The MEMS sensor has an acceleration detecting mechanismfabricated using semiconductor processes. The acceleration of theinformation processing apparatus 100 measured by the acceleration sensoris sent to the control unit 130.

The gyro sensor 126 measures an angular velocity of the informationprocessing apparatus 100. Like the acceleration sensor 124, the gyrosensor 126 used in the present embodiment may be a MEMS sensor. The MEMSsensor has an angular velocity detecting mechanism fabricated usingsemiconductor processes. The angular velocity of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 measured by the gyro sensor 126 is sent to thecontrol unit 130.

The terrestrial magnetism sensor 128 detects a direction of terrestrialmagnetism to calculate the orientation of the information processingapparatus 100. The orientation of the information processing apparatus100 calculated by the terrestrial magnetism sensor 128 is sent to thecontrol unit 130.

The control unit 10 receives information from various parts of theinformation processing apparatus 100 and performs calculation processesusing the information thus received. Although not shown, the controlunit 130 may include a CPU (central processing unit) and a memory fortemporarily storing data to be used for the calculation processes. Thecontrol unit 130 generates image data and audio data using electricalsignals from the imaging unit 110 and the microphone 112. The controlunit 130 also generates information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 using the current position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 supplied from the GPS reception unit 122, theacceleration of the information processing apparatus 100 supplied fromthe acceleration sensor 124, the angular velocity of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 supplied from the gyro sensor 126, and theorientation of the information processing apparatus 100 supplied fromthe terrestrial magnetism sensor 128.

The control unit 130 is an example of a deletion unit according to theembodiment of the invention. When a piece of imaged content recorded inthe information recording medium 134 is deleted, the control unitdeletes information on the position of the information processingapparatus 100 temporally associated with the deleted piece of imagedcontent from the information recording medium 134.

Information on the position of the information processing apparatus 100is generated at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined timeintervals may be fixed values, and they may alternatively be set by auser.

The operation unit 132 is provided to allow a user to operate theinformation processing apparatus 100. Although not shown in FIG. 1, theoperation unit 132 includes a power button for turning the power supplyof the information processing apparatus 100 on, a shutter button forimaging an object and recording sounds, a cross key for selecting animage to be displayed on the display unit 136, and a button for deletingimaged content recorded in the information recording medium 134.

The information recording medium 134 is provided to record image data,audio data, and information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100. An HDD (hard disk drive), a DVD, asemiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a tape may be used asthe information recording medium 134.

In the information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention, image data and audio data are generatedusing electrical signal input from the imaging unit 110 and themicrophone 112 independently of information on the position of theinformation processing apparatus 100 generated using the currentposition of the information processing apparatus 100 supplied from theGPS reception unit 122, the acceleration of the information processingapparatus 100 supplied from the acceleration sensor 124, the angularvelocity of the information processing apparatus 100 supplied from thegyro sensor 126, and the orientation of the information processingapparatus 100 supplied from the terrestrial magnetism sensor 128. Theimage and audio data and the position information thus generated arerecorded independently of each other in the information recording medium134.

The display unit 136 displays image data imaged by the imaging unit 110and various types of information on the information processing apparatus100. An LCD (liquid crystal display) may be used as the display unit136.

A configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according tothe first embodiment of the invention has been described above. Adescription will now be made on a method of processing information usingthe information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus 100according to the first embodiment of the invention, image data and audiodata are generated independently of information on the position of theinformation processing apparatus 100. The image and audio data andinformation on the position of the information processing apparatus 100generated independently are recorded in the information recording medium134 independently of each other.

Therefore, according to the related art, even when the operation unit132 is operated to erase a piece of image data or audio data from theinformation recording medium 134, information on the position of theinformation processing apparatus 100 temporally associated with thepiece of image data or audio data is not deleted from the informationrecording medium 134. Since the position information remains instead ofbeing deleted, the capacity of the information recording medium 134 iswastefully used.

Under the circumstance, in the present embodiment of the invention, whena piece of image data or audio data is erased from the informationrecording medium 134, information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 temporally associated with the deleted data isdeleted from the information recording medium 134. Thus, wasteful use ofthe capacity of the information recording medium 134 is avoided to usethe information recording medium 134 effectively.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart explaining the method of processing informationusing the information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention. The method of processing information usingthe information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG.2.

First, the information processing apparatus 100 waits for an operationof a user of the information processing apparatus 100 (step S102). Theuser operates the operation unit 132 to perform operations such asimaging an object, making settings of the information processingapparatus 100, and manipulating data recorded in the informationrecording medium 134.

The information processing apparatus 100 subsequently determines whetherthe user has made selection on whether to turn on or off automaticdeletion (step S104). In the present embodiment, the setting ofautomatic deletion is an operation of making a setting on whether toautomatically delete information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 temporally associated with a piece of imagedata or audio data when the data is erased from the informationrecording medium 134. When a piece of image data or audio data isdeleted from the information recording medium 134 with the automaticdeletion on, information on the position of the information processingapparatus 100 temporally associated with the deleted data isautomatically deleted. When automatic deletion is disabled, even if theimage data or audio data is deleted from the information recordingmedium 134, the information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 temporally associated with the deleted data isnot automatically deleted.

When it is determined at step S104 that the user has selected anautomatic deletion on- or off-state, the information processingapparatus 100 memorizes the automatic deletion on- or off-state set bythe user (step S106). When the process of memorizing the automaticdeletion on- or off-state is completed, the apparatus returns to stepS102 to wait until an operation of the user is accepted. When it isdetermined at step S104 that the user has not selected the automaticdeletion on- or off-state, the apparatus determines whether aninstruction for selective deletion of imaged content has been receivedfrom the user or not (step S108).

When it is determined at step S108 that the user has made an instructionfor a process of selectively deleting imaged content, the apparatusproceeds to the process of selectively deleting imaged content (stepS110). The process of selectively deleting imaged content will bedetailed later. When it is determined at step S108 that the user hasmade no instruction for the process of selectively deleting imagedcontent, it is determined whether the user has made an instruction for aprocess of deleting imaged content on a date-by-date basis (step S112).

When it is determined at step S112 that the user has made an instructionfor a process of deleting imaged content on a date-by-date basis, theapparatus proceeds to the process of deleting imaged content on adate-by-date basis (step S114). The process of deleting imaged contenton a date-by-date basis will be detailed later. When it is determined atstep S112 that the user has made no instruction for the process ofdeleting imaged content on a date-by-date basis, it is determinedwhether the user has made an instruction for a process of deletingentire imaged content (step S116).

When it is determined at step S116 that the user has made an instructionfor a process of deleting entire imaged content, the apparatus proceedsto the process of deleting entire imaged content (step S118). Theprocess of deleting entire imaged content will be detailed later. Whenit is determined at step S116 that the user has made no instruction forthe process of deleting entire imaged content, it is determined whetherthe user has made an instruction for a process of initializing(formatting) the information recording medium 134 (step S120).

When it is determined at step S120 that the user has made an instructionfor a process of initializing (formatting) the information recordingmedium 134, the apparatus proceeds to the process of initializing(formatting) the information recording medium 134 (step S122). Theprocess of initializing (formatting) the information recording medium134 will be detailed later. When it is determined at step S120 that theuser has made no instruction for the process of initializing(formatting) the information recording medium 134, the apparatus returnsto step S102 to wait until an operation of the user is accepted.

A method of processing information using the information processingapparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention hasbeen described above. Obviously, the order of the steps involved in theinformation processing method according to the embodiment of theinvention is not limited to the example described above. According tothe information processing method shown in FIG. 2, whether the user hasmade instructions for the selective deletion, date-by-date deletion, andoverall deletion of imaged content is determined in the order in whichthe deleting operations are listed. However, the information processingmethod according to the embodiment of the invention is not limited tosuch an order of determination.

A description will now be made on the process of selectively deletingimaged content involved in the method of processing information usingthe information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the process of selectivelydeleting imaged content according to the first embodiment of theinvention. The process of selectively deleting imaged content accordingto the first embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 3. When the apparatus proceeds to the process ofselectively deleting imaged content at step S110 shown in FIG. 2, thecontrol unit 130 deletes pieces of imaged content selected by the userfrom the information recording medium 134 (step S131). When the contenthas been deleted from the information recording medium 134, the controlunit 130 determines whether all pieces of imaged content imaged on acertain day have been deleted from the information recording medium 134(step S132).

When the determination at step S132 indicates that all pieces of imagedcontent imaged on a certain day have been deleted from the informationrecording medium 134, it is determined whether automatic deletion ofposition information is enabled (step S133). When the determination atstep S133 indicates that automatic deletion of position information isenabled, the control unit 130 deletes all pieces of information on theposition of the information processing apparatus 100 acquired on the dayfrom the information recording medium 134 (step S134). Thus, the processof selectively deleting imaged content is terminated.

When the determination at step S132 indicates that all pieces of imagedcontent imaged on the day have not been deleted from the informationrecording medium 134 or when the determination at step S133 indicatesthat automatic deletion of position information is disabled, the processof selectively deleting imaged content is terminated without deletinginformation on the position of the information processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 4 is an illustration for explaining a recording layout for imagedcontent and position information recorded in the information recordingmedium 134 of the information processing apparatus 100 according to thefirst embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, imaged contentand position information are recorded independently of each other in theinformation recording medium 134. Both of the imaged content andposition information are stored on a date-by-date basis by creatingdated folders.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, pieces of imaged content and positioninformation obtained on Aug. 1, 2007 are stored in respective foldersnamed “2007_08_01”. Similarly, pieces of imaged content and positioninformation obtained on Aug. 2, 2007 are stored in respective foldersnamed “2007_08_02”.

A file having a file name “0001.MPG” which is a moving image file isrecorded in the imaged content folder “2007_08_01”. Files having filenames “0002.MPG” and “003.MPG” which are moving image files and a filehaving a file name “0001.JPG” which is a still image file are recordedin the imaged content folder “2007_08_02”.

Files having file names “2007_08_01_001.xxx” and “2007_08_01_002.xxx”which are position information files are recorded in the positioninformation folder “2007_08_01”. Files having file names“2007_08_02_001.xxx”, “2007_08_02_002.xxx”, and “2007_08_02_003.xxx”which are position information files are recorded in the positioninformation folder “2007_08_02”.

In this case, when the file “0001.MPG” is deleted at step S131, imagedcontent imaged on Aug. 1, 2007 is entirely deleted from the informationrecording medium 134. Therefore, it is determined at step S132 that theimaged content imaged on Aug. 1, 2007 has been entirely deleted. Whenautomatic deletion of position information is enabled, the positioninformation files “2007_08_01_001.xxx” and “2007_08_01_002.xxx” recordedin the position information folder “2007_08_01” are deleted at stepS134.

On the contrary, when the file “0002.MPG” is deleted at step S131, someof imaged content imaged on Aug. 2, 2007 still remains in theinformation recording medium 134. It is therefore determined at stepS132 that some of imaged content imaged on Aug. 2, 2007 still remains,and the process of selectively deleting imaged content is terminatedwithout deleting information on the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 100.

As thus descried, when imaged content imaged on a certain day isentirely deleted as a result of selective deletion of a piece of imagedcontent, information on the position of the information processingapparatus 100 acquired on the day is entirely deleted. Thus, wastefuluse of the capacity of the information recording medium 134 can beavoided to use the information recording medium 134 effectively.

The process of selectively deleting imaged content according to thefirst embodiment of the invention has been described above. Adescription will now be made on the process of deleting imaged contenton a date-by-date basis according to the first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the process of deleting imagedcontent on a date-by-date basis according to the first embodiment of theinvention. The process of deleting imaged content on a date-by-datebasis according to the first embodiment of the invention will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 5.

When the apparatus proceeds to the process of deleting imaged content ona date-by-date basis at step S114 shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 130deletes entire imaged content imaged on a day specified by the user fromthe information recording medium 134 (step S141). When the content hasbeen deleted from the information recording medium 134, the control unit130 determines whether automatic deletion of position information isenabled (step S142).

When it is determined at step S142 that automatic deletion of positioninformation is enabled, the control unit 130 deletes information on theposition of the information processing apparatus 100 acquired on the dayentirely (step S143), and the process of deleting imaged content on adate-by-date basis is terminated.

When it is determined at step S142 that automatic deletion of positioninformation is disabled, the process of deleting imaged content on adate-by-date basis is terminated without deleting information on theposition of the information processing apparatus 100.

When the user instructs deletion of imaged content imaged on Aug. 2,2007 from the recording layout shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 130deletes the three pieces of imaged content stored in the folder“2007_08_02” from the information recording medium 134 (in other words,the folder “2007_08_02” having the imaged content stored therein isdeleted).

When automatic deletion of position information is enabled, the controlunit 130 deletes the three position information files stored in thefolder “2007_08_02” from the information recording medium 134 (in otherwords, the folder “2007_08_02” having the position information storedtherein is deleted).

When imaged content imaged on a certain day is entirely deleted from theinformation recording medium 134 by specifying the date as thusdescribed, information on the position of the information processingapparatus 100 acquired on the day is entirely deleted. Thus, wastefuluse of the information recording medium 134 can be avoided to use theinformation recording medium 134 effectively.

The process of deleting imaged content on a date-by-date basis accordingto the first embodiment of the invention has been described above. Theprocess of deleting entire imaged content according to the firstembodiment of the invention will now be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the process of deleting entireimaged content according to the first embodiment of the invention. Theprocess of deleting entire imaged content according to the firstembodiment of the invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 6.

When the apparatus proceeds to the process of deleting entire imagedcontent at step S118 shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 130 deletesentire imaged content from the information recording medium 134 (stepS151). When the entire imaged content has been deleted from theinformation recording medium 134, the control unit 130 determineswhether automatic deletion of position information is enabled (stepS152).

When it is determined at step S152 that automatic deletion of positioninformation is enabled, the control unit 130 deletes entire informationof the position of the information processing apparatus 100 acquireduntil then from the information recording medium 134 (step S153). Theprocess of deleting entire imaged content is then terminated.

When it is determined at step S152 that automatic deletion of positioninformation is disabled, the process of deleting entire imaged contentis terminated without deleting information of the position of theinformation processing apparatus 100.

As thus described, when entire imaged content is deleted from theinformation recording medium 134, entire information on the position ofthe information processing apparatus 100 acquired until then is deletedfrom the information recording medium 134. Thus, wasteful use of thecapacity of the information recording medium 134 can be avoided to usethe information recording medium 134 effectively.

The process of deleting entire imaged content according to the firstembodiment of the invention has been described above. The process ofinitializing (formatting) the information recording medium 134 accordingto the first embodiment of the invention will now be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the process of initializing(formatting) the information recording medium 134 according to the firstembodiment of the invention. The process of initializing (formatting)the information recording medium 134 according to the first embodimentof the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

When the apparatus proceeds to the process of initializing (formatting)the information recording medium 134 at step S122 shown in FIG. 2, thecontrol unit 130 causes the display unit 136 to display a messageindicating that imaged content and information on the position of theinformation processing apparatus 100 recorded in the informationrecording medium 134 will be entirely deleted (step S161). When the useraccepts the initialization (formatting) of the information recordingmedium 134, the control unit 130 initializes (formats) the informationrecording medium 134 (step S162).

As thus described, when the information recording medium 134 isinitialized, not only imaged content but also information on theposition of the information processing apparatus 100 is erased. Thus,wasteful use of the capacity of the information recording medium 134 canbe avoided to use the information recording medium 134 effectively.

The process of initializing (formatting) the information recordingmedium 134 according to the first embodiment of the invention has beendescribed above.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the invention,when a piece of imaged content is deleted from an information recordingmedium in which imaged content and position information are recordedindependently of each other, position information temporally associatedwith the piece of imaged content is deleted from the informationrecording medium. Thus, wasteful use of the capacity of the informationrecording medium can be avoided to use the information recording mediumeffectively.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment of the invention has been described as a case inwhich an imaging unit and a microphone for acquiring imaged content, aGPS reception unit, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and aterrestrial magnetism sensor for generating position information areincluded in the same information processing apparatus.

It is not necessarily essential that imaged content and various types ofinformation used for generating position information are acquired by thesame apparatus. For example, the acquisition of imaged content and theacquisition of various types of information used for generating positioninformation may be carried out by separate apparatus. Various type ofinformation used for generating position information may be transmittedto the apparatus which has acquired imaged content, and the imagedcontent and the position information may be saved in an informationrecording medium incorporated in the apparatus which has acquired theimaged content. An information processing apparatus and an informationprocessing method used in such a situation will be described as a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a configuration of aninformation processing apparatus 200 and a position informationacquisition apparatus 250 according to the second embodiment of theinvention. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 200and the position information acquisition apparatus 250 according to thesecond embodiment of the invention will be described below withreference to FIG. 8.

The information processing apparatus 200 acquires imaged content byimaging an object. The position information acquisition apparatus 250acquires various types of information to be used for generating positioninformation and transmits the information to the information processingapparatus 200. In order to accurately locate an imaged position at whichimaged content is acquired, it is desirable that the informationprocessing apparatus 200 and the position information acquisitionapparatus 250 are used at a relatively short distance (several tenscentimeters to several meters) from each other.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 200 accordingto the second embodiment of the invention includes a communication unit202, an imaging unit 210, a microphone 212, a control unit 230, anoperation unit 232, an information recording medium 234, and a displayunit 236. The position information acquisition apparatus 250 includes aGPS reception unit 252, an acceleration sensor 254, a gyro sensor 256, aterrestrial magnetism sensor 258, a control unit 260, and acommunication unit 262.

Each part of the information processing apparatus 200 will be firstdescribed. The communication unit 202 communicates with thecommunication unit 262 of the position information acquisition apparatus250. In the present embodiment, the communication unit receives varioustypes of information to be used for generating position informationacquired by the position information acquisition apparatus 250 and sendsthe information to the control unit 230.

The control unit 230 receives information from each part of theinformation processing apparatus 200 and performs calculation processesusing the information thus received. Although not shown, the controlunit 230 may include a CPU and a memory for temporarily storing data tobe used for the calculation processes. The control unit 230 generatesimage data and audio data (imaged content) using electrical signals fromthe imaging unit 210 and the microphone 212. The control unit 230 alsogenerates information on the position of the position informationacquisition apparatus 250 using the various types of information to beused for generating position information received by the communicationunit 202.

The imaging unit 210, the microphone 212, the operation unit 232, theinformation recording medium 234, and the display unit 236 will not bedescribed in detail because they have functions similar to those of theimaging unit 110, the microphone 112, the operation unit 132, theinformation recording medium 134, and the display unit 136 of theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodimentof the invention.

Each part of the position information acquisition apparatus 250 will nowbe described. The control unit 260 controls each part of the positioninformation acquisition apparatus 250. In the present embodiment, thecontrol unit receives various types of information to be used forgenerating position information acquired by the GPS reception unit 252,the acceleration sensor 254, the gyro sensor 256, and the terrestrialmagnetism sensor 258, respectively, and passes the information to thecommunication unit 262. Although not shown, the control unit 260 mayinclude a CPU and a memory for temporarily storing data to be used forcalculation processes.

The communication unit 262 receives the various types of information tobe used for generating position information from the control unit 260and transmits the information out of the apparatus. The various types ofinformation to be used for generating position information may betransmitted on either wired or wireless basis.

The GPS reception unit 252, the acceleration sensor 254, the gyro sensor256, and the terrestrial magnetism sensor 258 will not be described indetail because they have functions similar to those of the GPS receptionunit 122, the acceleration sensor 124, the gyro sensor 126, and theterrestrial magnetism sensor 128 of the information processing apparatus100 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

A configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 and theposition information acquisition apparatus 250 according to the secondembodiment of the invention has been described above. Also in such aconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 200 and theposition information acquisition apparatus 250, when a piece of imagedcontent recorded in the information recording medium 234 is deleted,position information temporally associated with the deleted imagedcontent is deleted from the information recording medium 234. Thus,wasteful use of the information recording medium 234 can be avoided touse the information recording medium 234 effectively.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the position informationacquisition apparatus 250 only acquires various types of information tobe used for generating position information, and information on theposition of the position information acquisition apparatus 250 isgenerated by the information processing apparatus 200. However, theinvention is not limited to such an example. Alternatively, theinformation on the position of the position information acquisitionapparatus 250 may be generated by the position information acquisitionapparatus 250 itself, and the position information thus generated may betransmitted to the information processing apparatus 200 and recorded inthe information recording medium 234.

Third Embodiment

The second embodiment of the invention has been described as a case inwhich imaged content and various types of information for generatingposition information are acquired by separate apparatus. A thirdembodiment of the invention will be described as a case in which varioustypes of information for generating position information are acquired byseparate apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a configuration of aninformation processing apparatus 300 and a position informationacquisition apparatus 350 according to the third embodiment of theinvention. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 300and the position information acquisition apparatus 350 according to thethird embodiment of the invention will be described below with referenceto FIG. 9.

The information processing apparatus 300 acquires imaged content byimaging an object and also acquires some of various types of informationto be used for generating position information. The position informationacquisition apparatus 350 acquires various types of information to beused for generating position information and transmits the informationto the information processing apparatus 300. In order to accuratelylocate an imaged position at which imaged content is acquired, it isdesirable that the information processing apparatus 300 and the positioninformation acquisition apparatus 350 are used at a relatively shortdistance (several tens centimeters to several meters) from each otherjust as in the second embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 300 accordingto the third embodiment of the invention includes a communication unit302, an imaging unit 310, a microphone 312, an acceleration sensor 324,a gyro sensor 326, a control unit 330, an operation unit 332, aninformation recording medium 334, and a display unit 336. The positioninformation acquisition apparatus 350 includes a GPS reception unit 352,a terrestrial magnetism sensor 358, a control unit 360, and acommunication unit 362.

Each part of the information processing apparatus 300 will be firstdescribed. The communication unit 302 communicates with thecommunication unit 362 of the position information acquisition apparatus350. In the present embodiment, the communication unit receives some ofvarious types of information to be used for generating positioninformation which are acquired by the position information acquisitionapparatus 350, i.e., information on the current position of theinformation processing apparatus 300 calculated based on a GPS signalreceived by the GPS reception unit 352 and information on theorientation of the information processing apparatus 300 calculated basedon terrestrial magnetism detected by the terrestrial magnetism sensor358. Those pieces of information are sent to the control unit 330.

The control unit 330 receives information from each part of theinformation processing apparatus 300 and performs calculation processesusing the information thus received. Although not shown, the controlunit 330 may include a CPU and a memory for temporarily storing data tobe used for the calculation processes. The control unit 330 generatesimage data and audio data (imaged content) using electrical signals fromthe imaging unit 310 and the microphone 312. The control unit 330 alsogenerates position information using the information received by thecommunication unit 302, acceleration information detected by theacceleration sensor 324, angular velocity information detected by thegyro sensor 326.

The imaging unit 310, the microphone 312, the acceleration sensor 324the gyro sensor 326, the operation unit 332, the information recordingmedium 334, and the display unit 336 will not be described in detailbecause they have functions similar to those of the imaging unit 110,the microphone 112, the acceleration sensor 124, the gyro sensor 126,the operation unit 132, the information recording medium 134, and thedisplay unit 136 of the information processing apparatus 100 accordingto the first embodiment of the invention.

Each part of the position information acquisition apparatus 350 will nowbe described. The control unit 360 controls each part of the positioninformation acquisition apparatus 350. In the present embodiment, thecontrol unit receives various types of information to be used forgenerating position information acquired by the GPS reception unit 352and the terrestrial magnetism sensor 358, respectively, and passes theinformation to the communication unit 362. Although not shown, thecontrol unit 360 may include a CPU and a memory for temporarily storingdata to be used for calculation processes.

The communication unit 362 receives the various types of information tobe used for generating position information from the control unit 360and transmits the information out of the apparatus. The various types ofinformation to be used for generating position information may betransmitted on either wired or wireless basis.

The GPS reception unit 352 and the terrestrial magnetism sensor 358 willnot be described in detail because they have functions similar to thoseof the GPS reception unit 122 and the terrestrial magnetism sensor 128of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment of the invention.

A configuration of the information processing apparatus 300 and theposition information acquisition apparatus 350 according to the thirdembodiment of the invention has been described above. Also in such aconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 300 and theposition information acquisition apparatus 350, when a piece of imagedcontent recorded in the information recording medium 334 is deleted,position information temporally associated with the deleted imagedcontent is deleted from the information recording medium 334. Thus,wasteful use of the information recording medium 334 can be avoided touse the information recording medium 334 effectively.

The above-described information processing methods may be implemented asfollows. In the recording medium provided in each of the informationprocessing apparatus 100, 200, and 300, a computer program created toexecute the method of processing content data according to oneembodiment of the invention may be stored in advance. The computerprogram may be sequentially read and executed by an arithmetic unit suchas a CPU (central processing unit).

While the embodiments of the invention have been described above withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is obvious that the inventionis not limited to such embodiment. It should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various modifications, combinations andalterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factorsinsofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or theequivalents thereof.

At the process of selectively deleting imaged content in theabove-described embodiment, it is determined whether imaged contentobtained on a certain day has been entirely deleted, and positioninformation having the same date is deleted from the informationrecording medium when the content has been entirely deleted. Theinvention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when thedeleted imaged content is a moving image, part of position informationgenerated during the operation of imaging the moving image may bedeleted.

Specifically, let us assume for example that a moving image is imagedfrom 2:50 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2007 until 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2007; positioninformation is generated from 2:40 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2007 until 3:30 p.m.on Aug. 1, 2007 at intervals of 2 minutes each; and the image and theposition information are recorded in a recording medium. Then, when theimaged moving image is deleted from the recording medium, pieces ofposition information generated during the period from 2:40 p.m. on Aug.1, 2007 until 3:14 p.m. (or 3:16 p.m.) on Aug. 1, 2007 may be deletedfrom the recording medium.

The invention may be applied to information processing apparatus,information processing methods, and computer programs. In particular,the invention may be applied to an information processing apparatus inwhich content and position information are recorded independently ofeach other and an information processing method and a computer programto be used for content and position information recorded independentlyof each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: circuitryconfigured to control making a piece of content unavailable based on aninstruction to make the piece of content unavailable; identify sensordata derived from a sensor and associated with time informationcorresponding to a time period during which the piece of content to bemade unavailable is generated, wherein the piece of content and thesensor data are stored separate from each other; and control making thesensor data unavailable, wherein when content generated on a specifiedday is made unavailable, the circuitry is configured to make all sensordata generated on the specified day unavailable.
 2. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the piece of content and the sensor data arestored in separate and independent files.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the received instruction is an instruction to deletethe piece of content.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein thecircuitry is configured to make the piece of content unavailable bydeleting the piece of content.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the sensor data corresponds to position information.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 5, wherein the position information indicatesat least one of route or path information.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to: control making contentgenerated during a specified time period unavailable based on thereceived instruction; and control making all sensor data generatedduring the specified period of time unavailable.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to: controldeleting content generated during a specified time based on the receivedinstruction; and control deleting all sensor data generated during thespecified period of time.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinwhen the content generated on the specified day is made unavailable bybeing deleted, the circuitry is configured to make all the sensor datagenerated on the specified day unavailable by deleting the sensor data.10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to delete the sensor data entirely from the recording mediumwhen an entirety of a plurality of pieces of content is deleted.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured togenerate the sensor data.
 12. The electronic device of claim 1,comprising: a camera configured to generate the piece of content byimaging an object.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thepiece of content to be made unavailable corresponds to a moving image.14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to identify and make unavailable sensor data generated at atiming corresponding to an operation of capturing the moving image. 15.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the piece of content and thesensor data are each recorded in separate and independent folders. 16.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured todetermine whether the electronic device is set to automatic deletionbased on a received user input.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the sensor data corresponds to a geographic position of theelectronic device.
 18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thesensor includes a GPS reception unit.
 19. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the sensor includes an acceleration sensor.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a gyro sensor.21. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes aterrestrial magnetism sensor.
 22. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the sensor data is generated at predetermined time intervals.23. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to: receive the sensor data generated by an informationacquisition device different from the electronic device and includingthe sensor; and record the sensor data in association with the piece ofcontent.
 24. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein the sensor datais wirelessly transmitted from the information acquisition device at arelatively short distance from the electronic device.
 25. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising: a memory.
 26. An informationprocessing method, comprising: controlling making a piece of contentunavailable based on an instruction to make the piece of contentunavailable; identifying sensor data derived from a sensor andassociated with time information corresponding to a time period duringwhich the piece of content to be made unavailable is generated, whereinthe piece of content and the sensor data are stored separate from eachother; and controlling making the sensor data unavailable, wherein whencontent generated on a specified day is made unavailable, controllingmaking all sensor data generated on the day unavailable.
 27. The methodof claim 26, wherein the piece of content and the sensor data are storedin separate and independent files.
 28. The method of claim 26, whereinthe received instruction is an instruction to delete the piece ofcontent.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the circuitry is configuredto make the piece of content unavailable by deleting the piece ofcontent.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor data correspondsto position information.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein theposition information indicates at least one of route or pathinformation.
 32. The method of claim 26, comprising: controlling makingcontent generated during a specified time period unavailable based onthe received instruction; and controlling making all sensor datagenerated during the specified period of time unavailable.
 33. Themethod of claim 26, comprising: controlling deleting content generatedduring a specified time based on the received instruction; andcontrolling deleting all sensor data generated during the specifiedperiod of time.
 34. The method of claim 26, wherein when the contentgenerated on the specified day is made unavailable by being deleted,controlling making all sensor data generated on the specified dayunavailable by deleting the sensor data.
 35. The method of claim 26,comprising: controlling deleting the sensor data entirely from therecording medium when an entirety of a plurality of pieces of content isdeleted.
 36. The method of claim 26, comprising: generating the sensordata.
 37. The method of claim 26, comprising: generating the piece ofcontent by imaging an object.
 38. The method of claim 26, wherein thepiece of content to be made unavailable corresponds to a moving image.39. The method of claim 38, comprising: identifying and makingunavailable sensor data generated at a timing corresponding to anoperation of capturing the moving image.
 40. The method of claim 26,wherein the piece of content and the sensor data are each recorded inseparate and independent folders.
 41. The method of claim 26,comprising: determine whether automatic deletion is set based on areceived user input.
 42. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor datacorresponds to a geographic position of the electronic device.
 43. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the sensor includes a GPS reception unit.44. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor includes an accelerationsensor.
 45. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor includes a gyrosensor.
 46. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor includes aterrestrial magnetism sensor.
 47. The method of claim 26, wherein thesensor data is generated at predetermined time intervals.
 48. The methodof claim 26, comprising: receiving the sensor data generated by aninformation acquisition device; and recording the sensor data inassociation with the piece of content.
 49. The method of claim 48,wherein the sensor data is received wirelessly from the informationacquisition device at a relatively short distance.
 50. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including computer-program instructions, whichwhen executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:control making a piece of content unavailable based on an instruction tomake the piece of content unavailable; identify sensor data derived froma sensor and associated with time information corresponding to a timeperiod during which the piece of content to be made unavailable isgenerated, wherein the piece of content and the sensor data are storedseparate from each other; and control making the sensor dataunavailable, wherein when content generated on a specified day is madeunavailable, the computer-program instructions causing the electronicdevice to make all sensor data generated on the day unavailable.
 51. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the pieceof content and the sensor data are stored in separate and independentfiles.
 52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50,wherein the received instruction is an instruction to delete the pieceof content.
 53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 52,the computer-program instructions causing the electronic device to: makethe piece of content unavailable by deleting the piece of content. 54.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein thesensor data corresponds to position information.
 55. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the position informationindicates at least one of route or path information.
 56. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, thecomputer-program instructions causing the electronic device to: controlmaking content generated during a specified time period unavailablebased on the received instruction; and control making all sensor datagenerated during the specified period of time unavailable.
 57. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, thecomputer-program instructions causing the electronic device to: controldeleting content generated during a specified time based on the receivedinstruction; and control deleting all sensor data generated during thespecified period of time.
 58. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 50, wherein when the content generated on the specifiedday is made unavailable by being, the computer-program instructionscausing the electronic device to make all the sensor data generated onthe specified day unavailable by deleting the sensor data.
 59. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, thecomputer-program instructions causing the electronic device to: deletethe sensor data entirely from the recording medium when an entirety of aplurality of pieces of content is deleted.
 60. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 50, the computer-program instructionscausing the electronic device to: generate the sensor data.
 61. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein theelectronic device includes a camera configured to generate the piece ofcontent by imaging an object.
 62. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 50, wherein the piece of content to be made unavailablecorresponds to a moving image.
 63. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 62, the computer-program instructions causing theelectronic device to: identify and make unavailable sensor datagenerated at a timing corresponding to an operation of capturing themoving image.
 64. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim50, wherein the piece of content and the sensor data are each recordedin separate and independent folders.
 65. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 50, the computer-program instructionscausing the electronic device to: determine whether the electronicdevice is set to automatic deletion based on a received user input. 66.The e non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein thesensor data corresponds to a geographic position of the electronicdevice.
 67. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50,wherein the sensor includes a GPS reception unit.
 68. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the sensor includes anacceleration sensor.
 69. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 50, wherein the sensor includes a gyro sensor.
 70. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the sensorincludes a terrestrial magnetism sensor.
 71. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the sensor data isgenerated at predetermined time intervals.
 72. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 50, the computer-program instructionscausing the electronic device to: receive the sensor data generated byan information acquisition device different from the electronic deviceand including the sensor; and record the sensor data in association withthe piece of content.
 73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 72, wherein the sensor data is wirelessly transmitted from theinformation acquisition device at a relatively short distance from theelectronic device.